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ninthwave's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
As far as basic enjoyment goes, I didn't realize it would be quite so violent. I understand the necessity of it in the narrative, I just didn't expect it going in. If you haven't read it and are considering doing so, it is very graphic.
It's interesting that readers spend so much intimate time with the main character in his head, yet very few of the other characters with whom he interacts ever address him by his first name; indeed, only one character ever addresses him by his first name alone, and only once, as I recall. This decision by the author is an effective technique that increases the sense of distance between the protagonist and his world.
This was well-written, but I preferred 1Q84's story.
It's difficult to assign a star rating. There's plenty of symbolism and some of the prose is beautiful. However, the pacing dragged for me at certain points, and I didn't find the tale as a whole consistently compelling, particularly some of Mamiya's recollections. Comparing Murakami to Murakami, I think 1Q84 is the stronger work.
Graphic: Torture, War, and Violence
Moderate: Abortion, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
rubym55's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, and War
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, War, Suicide attempt, and Torture
Moderate: Infidelity, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Rape, Sexual assault, and Car accident
Minor: Incest and Suicide
toves's review
4.5
This is my second time reading this book--I read it in high school and remembered it being 'dreamlike and chill'. Was very surprised at the level of graphic content. You'd think I would have remembered That One Part in Lt. Mamiya's Long Story, at the very least! Wow!
Thanks to this book I: cooked pasta while listening to the overture to 'The Thieving Magpie' (& I agree with Mr. Wind-up Bird; it's a good time), took photos of my ears, now refer to the ducks at my local park as 'the duck people'. I still want to: write a description of the alley behind my house, spend a day at the mall staring at people's faces.
LISTEN, TLDR: IS THE CAT OK?:
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Sexual assault, War, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Physical abuse
geonox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Torture, War, Violence, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion, Child death, and Child abuse
natattack17's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War, Sexual content, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault and Child abuse
Minor: Abortion and Suicide
loveyoutothemoonandtosaturn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Abortion
jperalta's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Minor: Sexual assault
verbamatic's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, War, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment
m4rtt4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read this in English a couple years ago and it didn't hit me quite as hard as Murakami's other thicker novels, thought it was just a language issue and now re-read it in my native tongue. Turns out it wasn't the language, it was the story or maybe me. Not bad this time either, a solid more-than-three-stars, even better if you exclude the excessive #menwritingwomen scenes Murakami's unfortunately known for – and this time, sexualising a minor?? Poor Mei/May. My favourite scenes were the ones set around the war times Lieutenant Mamiya's story and Akasaka Muscot's childhood, though I also liked the Kano sisters and Mei/May a lot and let's be honest, plot-wise there wasn't much to dislike, just not much to really love either.
Graphic: Blood, Abortion, Murder, Torture, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Misogyny